Followers

The final podcast for 2019 and this time I get to share the life of Eugene Laurant. He was friends with Germain, Brush, Maro and others who all performed in the Chautauqua and Lyceum circuits. His magic was INCREDIBLE and I believe modern audiences would agree if Laurant were still alive.

Charles Morritt was a very prolific inventor of magic illusions. He created some very stunning effects in the late 1800s right into the early 20th Century. He is also credited as the man who helped Houdini make an elephant vanish!

Episode 37 has to do with two men who I knew personally, Steve Baker and Norman Bigelow. Both men were escape artists. I give a brief bio of their lives, some highlights of their signature escapes and then I share with you a practically unknown story about a Challenge between the two men.

The second episode during Houdini Week 2019 centers on Henry Evans-Evanion, a Victorian era magician and avid collector. You'll learn how he becomes associated with Houdini and more. A shorter podcast but I know you'll enjoy it.

This is the first episode of Season 2 OR Episode 32 overall. I'm beginning with a series of episodes on Houdini. This one deals with his big break and how it played out. There has been some controversy about this event recently, so I wanted to address that as well. I give my opinion, backed up by some information I found online. I do think the 'new theory' has merit, so I discuss both.

Ep 22 is another 'short' episode. This time I talk about the strange relationship between Houdini and Stage Medium Anna Eva Fay. There will be a full Anna Eva Fay Podcast coming in the future. But for now, you can enjoy this piece on Houdini & Anna Eva Fay. This podcast runs approx 15 minutes.

On this episode I discuss the life of Professor Harry Cooke, who was a Civil War era magician and had some interesting ties to Abraham Lincoln and Lincoln's death. I also talk about some of the recent deaths in magic of Marshall Brodien, Steve Duscheck, and Johnny Thompson. And, of course, today is Houdini's Birthday, Happy Birthday Harry! So in honor of Houdini I talk a bit about a pet peeve of mine, 'people who say Houdini was a bad magician'. I try and make a case to show in fact he was NOT a bad magician. The music is provided by http://purple-planet.com.

This episode deals with the three pioneers of Mind Reading from the 19th Century, John Randall Brown, Stuart Cumberland, and Washington Irving Bishop. Stay tuned till the end of the podcast because I have included the FIRST Magic Detective Podcast CONTEST! It's pretty easy. If you don't know the answer, it is contained on one of the podcasts or you can find it in my blog fairly easily as well. http://www.themagicdetective.com Send your answers to [email protected]and remember the 5th person with the right answer wins. If no one wins by the time the NEXT podcast comes out, I'll stop the contest and start a brand new one next week. And if someone wins, I'll still have a new one next week!

UPDATE: There were a couple editing glitches I had to go back and fix. I think it all is working smoothly now. My apologies...(first time for everything)

Houdini thought he was great, and he never met the man. Houdini was 4 when Heller died. Robert Heller could have been one of the great piano virtuosos but he chose magic instead. In fact, he sorta chose both. And this is his story. I think Heller is more popular among music historians than magic historians, but I am hoping to change that. This episode is dedicated to my magic pal Joe Pecore who recently passed away. Music is used with permission of http://purple-planet.com And don't forget to check my blog, TheMagicDetective.com for any additional notes which I may add to this podcast.

Feb 7th, 2019 is the 19th Anniversary of the passing of magic icon Doug Henning. In this episode, I share some of my own recollections of Doug's specials and memories of having seen him perform live. I only get as far as Special #4, as the podcast would have been 5 hours long had I covered everything. At some later date I will do a biographical profile of Henning for the podcast. I hope you enjoy this episode and remember fondly on the days when Doug Henning's magic was popular! The podcast music is used with permission by http://purple-planet.com

On this episode I explore the life of another forgotten magician from the 19th Century. His name is John Wyman Jr. and James Madison was president of the US when Wyman was born! His life is fascinating and I know you'll enjoy it. OH, and then at the end of the podcast a special 'audio feature' from the life of Wyman. Podcast Music provided by http://purple-planet.com Special thanks to Richard Wiseman and Cameron Watt for the special feature in today's podcast!

Harry Kellar comes back for the final Episode in this three part series. This time we explore his days in retirement. Many people fade away from public life when they retire. Kellar, though he was not appearing on stages, was still quite busy and quite social. You'll hear more about this so-called Mantle of Magic and what Thurston did with it. And you'll learn about Kellar's friendship with Harry Houdini. This is the last episode for 2018, but we'll be back in 2019 with MORE great stories from the world of magic. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Please remember to LIKE-SHARE & Subscribe to the Podcast!!! Thanks!!!!!!! You'll find notes on this episode on my blog, TheMagicDetective.com

Episode 8 features stories from the life of Harry Kellar. This is a two part episode (possibly even three parter), so I get as far as his split up with William Fay. You'll hear about his shipwreck, and how he introduced the Vanishing Birdcage to America. There are a few details on here about upcoming podcasts as well. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Houdini in Washington D.C. This episode is all about Houdini's time testifying before Congress. Much of this information comes from The Congressional Record. Houdini was testifying on behalf of an Anti-Fortune Telling Bill, but was using it as a guise to go after Spirit Mediums. Was he successful? Listen and find out. By the way, though this deals with Congress, this is NOT a political podcast.

Episode 6 The Last Days of Houdini & Beyond. This is NOT a continuation of Episode 5. I will cover the bulk of Houdini's life on other podcasts in the future. This particular podcast covers his last month and then some of the Seances following his death. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Please check out my blog at TheMagicDetective.com And please LIKE-SHARE and SUBSCRIBE to my Podcast!

Episode 5 is all about Houdini.....well Houdini from birth until he marries Bess. I tried to put some tidbits of info in there that might not be common knowledge. For example, do you know where Houdini got his Subtrunk from? Did you know there was a claim that Ehrich was the second Ehrich? I finish up with a strange bit of history concerning Houdini's birth. Music provided by purple-planet.com

This podcast is basically about the famed Belgian Illusionist, Servais LeRoy. I began examining one of the famous posters belonging to LeRoy Talma and Bosco. Then I move onto a very heart breaking story in his life. And still, there is more. Music provided my purple-planet.com Please check the companion story at my blog, TheMagicDetective.com

On this Episode, I'll talk about escape artist Steve Baker, I'll share some insights into the failed M-D Youtube Show ad whether I plan to bring it back. During the Houdini Radio Segment, I discuss Houdini and Queen Victoria's Dress, and finally, I share a few of my escapades in trying to search for the graves of dead magicians. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

On Episode 2, (which I'm uploading a few days early), you'll hear a new segment called HOUDINI RADIO, I'll talk about 6 Degrees of Separation-Magic Style, and I'll even share the story of how Uri Geller fixed my doorbell. Music provided by purple-planet.com

This is an introductory podcast. I share some things you can expect to hear in the regular episodes. The feature is a short story about Houdini's October 1900 trip to Germany. I present The Magic History Minute and much more. Music provided by Purple-Planet.com